Fat attenuating nasopharyngeal foreign body in an adult dog

A 10-year-old male neutered silky terrier presented for a 3-day history of acute onset stertor and hyporexia. Physical examination revealed inspiratory and expiratory stertor, which resolved when the mouth was open and there was absent airflow through the right nostril. Computed tomography revealed a noncontrast enhancing fat attenuating structure (-33 Hounsfield units) occluding the right rostral nasopharyngeal lumen with a strong gas-fat interface rostrally and caudally. Anterior and retrograde rhinoscopy was performed. Retrograde rhinoscopy revealed the presence of brown/tan foreign material within the right nasopharynx, which was removed via flushing and manual retrieval. Anterior rhinoscopy was unremarkable. The foreign body was determined to be a pecan nut (similar to 72% fat) and removal resulted in resolution of clinical signs. This case report demonstrates the clinical utility of computed tomography in identifying the material of origin of unusual foreign bodies utilising Hounsfield units.